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Lions look to keep rolling against Cardinals

Nov 11, 2007 - 11:53 AM Detroit (6-2) at Arizona (3-5) Sunday 4:15 pm EDT

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The first thing Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli tried to do this season was instill a winning attitude. He has made a lot of believers and taken the heat off president Matt Millen.

When the Lions visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, they will attempt to accomplish something they never have done during the Millen era - win seven games in a season.

Detroit has suffered six straight seasons with 10 or more losses and began the year just 24-72 record since Millen became team president in 2001. The 72 defeats was only two shy of the NFL record in a six-year period.

The Lions have not had a winning season since going 9-7 in 2000, but they start the second half of this season as serious playoff contenders.

At 6-2, they are tied with the New York Giants for the second-best record in the NFC and trail Green Bay by only one game in the NFC North.

"Here's the thing I believe, and I believe it in raising kids or whatever you do," Marinelli said. "If you set expectations for people, they usually raise themselves to the expectations. You tell a young person you're nothing, that's what he'll probably be."

The Lions may have raised some eyebrows around the league with last week's 44-7 drubbing of the Denver Broncos.

Jon Kitna completed 16-of-31 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns while Kevin Jones rushed for 71 yards for Detroit, which scored on all four of their first-half possessions.

The Lions also scored two defensive touchdowns, forced four turnovers and came within 2 1/2 minutes of the franchise's first shutout 1996.

Led by Roy Williams, who has 43 receptions for 568 yards, Detroit has the league's ninth-best passing attack. Rookie Calvin Johnson is the Lions' fourth-leading receiver with 19 catches for 320 yards.

Arizona features two of the league's best receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, yet its offense continues to struggle.

The Cardinals suffered their third straight loss last week with a 17-10 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During the slide, Arizona is averaging only 13 points.

The Cardinals managed only 195 total yards against Tampa Bay, with running back Edgerrin James being held to a meager 15 yards on nine carries.

Despite its problems, Arizona is only one game behind first-place Seattle (4-4) in the NFC West.

The Lions are making their second visit to Arizona in as many seasons, suffering a 17-10 loss here last year.